KFC Cheetos Mac & Cheese Bowl Copycat Recipe (The Messiest Bowl You'll Ever Love)
This is pure chaos in the best way possible! 🧀🔥 KFC literally put Cheetos IN the mac and cheese, then topped it with their crispy chicken. It sounds like a stoner food dream, but honestly? It's addictive AF. Your fingers will be orange for days and you won't care.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- elbow macaroni 2 cups
- whole milk 1.5 cups
- unsalted butter 2 tbsp
- sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups
- processed cheese (like Velveeta), cubed 0.5 cup
- Cheetos cheese snacks (regular) 2 cups
- boneless skinless chicken breast 1 lb
- buttermilk 1 cup
- all-purpose flour 1.5 cups
- cornstarch 0.25 cup
- large eggs 2 pieces
- vegetable oil (for frying) 4 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
- kosher salt 2 tsp
- black pepper 1 tsp
- white pepper 0.5 tsp
- paprika 1 tsp
- celery salt 0.5 tsp
- garlic powder 1 tsp
- onion powder 0.5 tsp
- ground dried basil 0.5 tsp
- dried oregano 0.5 tsp
- ground mustard 0.25 tsp
- MSG (Accent) 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
63 g
43%
Protein
22 g
15%
Fat
28 g
42%
Cooking steps
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1
Cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente according to package directions, then drain and set aside. This prevents soggy mac when baked with cheese.
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2
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter, add milk, then stir in cheddar and processed cheese cubes. Stir until creamy and smooth, 4-5 minutes.
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3
Crush 1 cup of Cheetos into fine crumbs (use a zip bag and rolling pin); stir these into the cheese sauce for that signature KFC orange color and Cheetle flavor.
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4
Toss drained macaroni with the Cheetos cheese sauce until fully coated, then cover to keep warm.
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5
Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Marinate in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes for KFC juiciness.
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6
Mix flour, cornstarch, and all seasoning ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, beat eggs with a splash of buttermilk.
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7
Drain chicken, dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mix, dip in egg wash, then dredge one more time in flour. This double-breaded method delivers that KFC crisp!
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8
Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 340°F. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and crisp; drain on rack. (Partially cover for a faux pressure fryer effect.)
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9
Assemble each bowl: Scoop cheesy-Cheetos mac, top with hot fried chicken bites, and finish with a generous handful of Cheetos for crunch. Serve immediately for ultimate messiness.
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10
Colonel's secret: The combination of MSG, white pepper, and buttermilk makes your chicken almost indistinguishable from KFC’s addictive popcorn bites. Don’t skip the Cheetos crumbles!
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this actually taste like the KFC Cheetos Mac & Cheese Bowl?
Absolutely! The double-breading on the chicken with buttermilk brine and the classic KFC 11 herbs and spices (including MSG, white and black pepper) deliver that beloved crispy-juicy bite. Adding crushed Cheetos to the cheese sauce and as a topping mirrors the real bowl's unmistakable color and flavor.
Q. How can I keep the breading from falling off my fried chicken?
Make sure each chicken piece is well-dried before dredging. Start with the seasoned flour, then egg wash, then flour again. Fry at 340°F and avoid overcrowding—this lets the crust set. Let the fried chicken pieces rest on a rack, not paper towels, so they stay extra crispy.
Q. Can I substitute anything for MSG in the seasoning blend?
If you prefer not to use MSG, you can leave it out. The flavor will still be excellent, but MSG gives an authentic umami boost just like KFC's. For a similar effect, increase a touch of celery salt or try a pinch of mushroom powder.
Q. How many calories does each serving have?
Every bowl is about 590 kcal, with 63g carbohydrates (43%), 22g protein (15%), and 28g fat (42%). It’s indulgent, but that’s part of the KFC experience!
Q. What's the best way to store and reheat leftovers?
Store mac & cheese and chicken separately in sealed containers for up to 2 days. Reheat the chicken in an oven or air fryer at 350°F until crisp. Warm the mac & cheese on the stovetop with a splash of milk to keep it creamy, and add fresh Cheetos when serving.
